By Dr. Ja’ida-Kumar Kato
As thousands of teachers migrate abroad for better opportunities, Nigeria faces a silent but growing crisis in its classrooms.
Beyond the statistics lies a national emergency — one that threatens the very foundation of learning, innovation, and social progress that invariably leads to national development.
A Classroom Gone QuietAt 7:00 a.m., the classrooms of a once-bustling public school in Ibadan are unusually still. Only a few teachers walk briskly through the corridors, carrying stacks of notebooks and worry in their eyes.
Among those who recently left is Mrs. Funmi Adesina, a passionate English teacher who, after fifteen years of dedicated service, relocated to the United Kingdom.“I love teaching, but love cannot pay the bills,” she said before boarding her flight.
“I waited years for change that never came.”Her story reflects a painful reality spreading across Nigeria’s education system — the exodus of teachers seeking greener pastures.
Each departure leaves behind an empty desk, an overburdened colleague, and a generation of students with fewer mentors to guide them.
The Bedrock of DevelopmentTeachers are the nation’s builders. They create the human capital that powers innovation, governance, and enterprise.
No economy can rise above the quality of its teachers.In Nigeria, teachers remain the heart of the education system.
From rural classrooms to urban universities, they nurture the doctors, engineers, scientists, and public servants who sustain the nation’s progress. Their influence goes beyond academics.
They shape the vision, discipline, and moral fiber that define a people.Every great nation was first built in a classroom.
Every visionary leader was once taught to dream by a teacher who believed in their potential. By inspiring, educating, and mentoring students, teachers help build a strong and capable workforce that can drive economic growth, social progress, and sustainable all round national development.
The Crisis of DepartureIn the past three years, thousands of Nigerian teachers have migrated to countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Middle East. This “teacher flight” has led to severe shortages in schools, especially public institutions where class sizes now swell beyond capacity.In some states, a single teacher handles up to eighty students.
In others, entire departments function with one or two overstretched educators. The quality of learning is dropping, while teacher morale continues to sink. This cuts across from entry level of school to tertiary.The consequences are enormous.
When teachers leave, students lose mentors, communities lose guides, and the nation loses its most important builders.
The teacher exodus is not just a workforce issue — it is a national development crisis that should be a “state of emergency”.Molders of Character and ValuesBeyond textbooks, teachers are moral anchors.
They instill values of honesty, service, and respect that hold communities together. In many Nigerian towns, teachers are role models — respected for their discipline and dedication.
At a time when corruption and moral decay threaten national unity, teachers remain among the few who still remind young people that integrity matters. Their influence shapes not only intellects but also consciences.
The likes of Prof. AO Ahmed and Prof. Hussain Jibrin are examples of these rare breed.Champions of Innovation and ChangeModern development is driven by ideas, and teachers are at the forefront of that change.
They guide students to think critically, embrace creativity, and adapt to technology.
Nigeria’s push for digital education and knowledge-driven growth depends on teachers who can use modern tools and teach 21st-century skills.
Yet many still work without internet access, computers, or even stable electricity.
To bridge the gap between today’s classrooms and tomorrow’s economy, Nigeria must empower teachers with the tools and training they need to lead innovation.
Why They Are LeavingFor most teachers who leave, the decision is not just about money. It is about survival and self-worth.
Many have endured unpaid salaries, poor infrastructure, and limited respect for their work.In countries abroad, Nigerian teachers find not only better pay but also dignity.
They have access to modern classrooms, continuous training, and policies that value their expertise. The difference is not just economic — it is emotional.
When teachers feel invisible, they stop believing that their country values them.
And when they stop believing, they start leaving.Policy Pathways for RenewalIf Nigeria is to stop the bleeding, it must rethink how it treats its educators. Education reform must begin with teachers.
Government at all levels should:Improve teacher remuneration and pay salaries promptly.
Provide opportunities for career advancement and continuous training.Invest in digital infrastructure and classroom technology.Introduce incentive schemes such as housing, health insurance, and recognition awards.
Private sector involvement is also crucial.
Corporate organizations and NGOs can fund teacher development programs and supply learning materials.
The goal should be simple: make teaching a profession of pride again.
A Call to ActionEvery teacher who leaves Nigeria takes with them years of experience, mentorship, and untold lessons.
Every empty classroom represents a lost opportunity for the nation’s growth.
If Nigeria truly seeks sustainable development, it must start by keeping its teachers — motivated, equipped, and respected.
Because when teachers leave, the nation bleeds.
But when they stay, the nation learns, heals, and thrives.
